Why do Series X|S games install onto storage devices automatically where they are not playable?

Discus and support Why do Series X|S games install onto storage devices automatically where they are not playable? in XBoX Games and Apps to solve the problem; I’m struggling to understand why storage cards or external storage is available for an all digital console when half the games require to be installed... Discussion in 'XBoX Games and Apps' started by XboxUser4639426394, Apr 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM.

  1. XboxUser4639426394
    XboxUser4639426394 Guest

    Why do Series X|S games install onto storage devices automatically where they are not playable?


    I’m struggling to understand why storage cards or external storage is available for an all digital console when half the games require to be installed on internal storage just to play them. On top of that, why does the Series S get stuck displaying “Finishing things up” at 99.2% of transferring a Series X|S game into internal storage? It says in other community posts that this issue has been fixed when it hasn’t and now I’m stuck having to install a game a second time in as many days. Your guys systems work great. I love not owning my games and having to deal with installation issues to even sniff the title screen.

    :)
     
    XboxUser4639426394, Apr 24, 2025 at 1:23 AM
    #1
  2. SwordofWhedon Win User

    Why do Series X|S games install onto storage devices automatically where they are not playable?

    Ususally because you have it set that way. You can set it so if there isn't enough room it'll go there.
  3. SigmaTheDJ Win User

    Download move to internal on a Xbox Series X.

    You can set it so that games optimised for the Series X/S are downloaded to the internal storage automatically, if that helps. Go to Settings - System - Storage devices - Change installation locations and you can change the settings there.

    I dunno why there's no warning, but yeah; games optimised for Series X/S consoles can only be run from the internal SSD or a Seagate expansion card, not a regular external hard drive.
  4. SamuelBazaldua Win User

    Xbox Series X/S games "not playable on this device" on brand new Xbox One X

    It says "Optimized for series X/S. IT should say "Only for series X/S. Why does Microsoft try to hide this with a little red circle popup note "not playable on this device" If it's not playable then keep it off my Game Pass ultimate and store

    that I pay $16.99 monthly for.
  5. StuartATrueRed Win User

    Can you set Game Updates to an external storage by default?

    Updates will always update to the storage device the game is on. There is no way around it. Updates for the Xbox One/Series X|S will go over the files that are already installed. So it will only add more if the game gets more content.

    As for updates, doing a fresh installation. These will be upgrading the game, so it has better visuals and 4K assets, which in most cases is a more up-to-date version of the game specifically built for the Series X|S. Hence, why it defaults to the internal storage.
  6. Obsessive Power Win User

    Optimized Games X|S

    Hi,

    Both Series X/S games and Xbox One games that been optimised (I'm British) for Series X/S must be installed on either the internal storage or the expansion card. They can not be run from a USB connected storage device. My optimised Series X/S Xbox One games
    were moved to my Expansion card during their update.
Thema:

Why do Series X|S games install onto storage devices automatically where they are not playable?

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